GHS names outstanding Panthers

July 29, 2012

Gowanda High School selected the following Students of the Month for their achievements in May in several different categories:

Elizabeth Tonello Grade 12, Panther PRIDE

A student chosen for Panther PRIDE illustrates, on a daily basis, what being a Panther means: prepared, respectful, involved, determined, and excellence. Tonello impressed her teachers with her dedication to her studies, her drive to excel and her positive attitude. She is a mature young woman, an excellent role model and exemplifies the quality that PRIDE stands for.

A member of the Class of 2012, she plans to attend Erie Community College in the fall and graduate with a nursing degree. She collects food for various organizations and assists in local blood drives, and enjoys helping others.

Gabrielle McCormack Grade 9, Mathematics

McCormack was nominated by Amy Fantaske because she is a hardworking and diligent student who shows a level of maturity far beyond her age. Throughout the school year she consistently exemplified the characteristics of a responsible and motivated learner. She strives for excellence in her math work and seeks meaningful comprehension of the material.

McCormack has participated in school plays in both middle and high school. She has also been a participant in All County chorus and NYSSMA. After graduating from GCS she plans to go to college and major in acting with a minor in a field involving math and science.

Tangier Lisjak Grade 9, Science

Lisjak was honored for her work in Living Environment by Margaret King, describing her as the kind of student that every teacher wants in their class. She is always polite and cooperative she comes to class on time and prepared with all the materials necessary for learning. She goes above and beyond to excel in all work that is assigned, leading quietly by example.

She spends most of her time outside of school studying because her goal is to get a good college scholarship. After graduation she plans to go to medical school at Cornell.

Alyssa Franklin Grade 9, Business

Franklin was chosen for this honor by Ed Bugenhagen because she is a well-rounded student that uses her competitive edge to drive her success. Her dynamic personality brings a smile to everyone that is around her. She has been developing skills in Microsoft Office and has proven to be quite talented in her efforts. Dependability has been demonstrated by Alyssa on more than one occasion and she lends a helping hand to her fellow classmates.

Franklin is active in ice hockey and has been skating since she was 4 years old. She played on the Northern Chautauqua County Hockey Association Steelers for eight years, two years for the Hamburg Hawks, and is now playing for the Buffalo Stars. She is also a cheerleader for Gowanda. After high school she plans to continue playing hockey because she feels that it is the best sport in the world.

Laura Gurney Grade 10, The Arts

Gurney was chosen by Casey Sickau because she is an exemplary art student in the Creative Crafts course at GHS. She is focused, self-motivated and thorough in all of her projects. She is always willing to take an artistic risk, asking to learn more while working intently to successfully achieve a new technique. Her artworks are often exemplars for her peers, constantly surpassing Sickau's expectations. Gurney is more than willing to aid a fellow aspiring artist in learning new techniques and encourages them to remain on task until project completion. She has expanded her artistic horizons this year and Sickau hops that she will continued development of her natural talent and abilities in the visual arts.

Gurney is on the bowling team at GCS. Her future plans are to go to college and study art.

Cole Smith Grade 9, Physical Education

Smith was nominated by Amy Cassidy. He is a three-sport athlete who also maintains a high academic average. He is respectful to peers and staff and willingly takes suggestions. He is a competitor who strives to include all teammates and leads by example. Smith demonstrates pride in his work, and displays pride in his school when representing Gowanda teams.

Cole participated in a sport each season his freshman year. He ran cross country, wrestled and finished the year on the baseball team. He also participates in youth group and small group with the Gowanda Free Methodist Church. He wants to go to college for theology because he is passionate about the Bible, and wants to continue participating in sports as well.

Robert Thompson II Grade 10, LOTE

Thompson was nominated by David George-Shongo because he is a hard-working student. He is successful in Seneca language because of his work ethic in combination with his sense of humor. He participates in Track and Field for GHS. His plans are to go to college and become a veterinarian because of his love for animals and his desire to care for them and keep them safe.

Delaney Van Wey Grade 10, ELA

Mr. Jarzynski nominated Van Wey. Over the course of the year she demonstrated an acute ability to lead by example in the English 10 Honors classroom. She is adroit in her skills as a writer and always asks questions. On any given day her little hand rises above each class and her smile brightens the room. Never satisfied with mediocrity, Van Wey strives for excellence in all of her endeavors.

Van Wey participates in cheerleading and softball. She writes for the school newspaper, The Phoenix, and serves as student council secretary. Her dream is to go to Syracuse University for journalism because of her love for writing. She plans to someday travel the world.

Justin Sowa Grade 11, Social Studies

Sowa was nominated by Mark Leous. Sowa is always prepared to learn. He is enthusiastic about every topic talked about in his Contemporary Issues class. He continually asks great questions, leads discussions, and is constantly working to better himself.

Sowa participates in track and field, basketball and bowling. He is a member of the National Honor Society and was also on the prom committee this year. He plans to attend college and attain a bachelor's degree and then a higher degree.